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The following is a summary of “Increased epicardial tissue and reduced TAPSE and MAPSE scores in borderline personality disorders. Early indicators for cardiovascular risk?,” published in the June 2025 issue of Frontiers in Psychiatry by Schaefer et al. 

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to examine cardiac function in adults diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD), given their elevated cardiometabolic risk.  

They included 28 female individuals diagnosed with BPD and 28 age-, sex-, and BMI–matched controls (mean age 29 ± 11 years). Echocardiography was used to assess epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) thickness and cardiac function parameters. Diabetes risk was estimated by the Finnish Diabetes Risk (FINDRISC) score, and metabolic syndrome was defined following the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel-III (NCEP/ATPIII) criteria. Self-report tools capture lifestyle habits and current symptoms of depression and anxiety.  

The results showed that adults with BPD had significantly increased EAT levels compared to controls. Reduced tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) and mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) were observed, though both remained within the normal range. The left ventricular ejection fraction was comparable across groups. Diabetes risk, metabolic syndrome frequency, and serum levels of NT-proBNP marker and GDF15 did not differ between groups. Smoking was more common, and physical activity was lower in individuals with BPD.  

Investigators concluded that BPD was related to structural and functional cardiology changes, underscoring the need for early cardiovascular risk screening and lifestyle-focused interventions. 

Source:frontiersin.org/journals/psychiatry/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1441605/full